1. Northeastern Connecticut needs a strong vote in Hartford to obtain incentives that will make our area of the state as attractive to business and industry as any other.

2. Crime.

3. Education.

Issues

Income tax: Do you support maintaining the state income tax as-is? If not, would you amend it so some people pay more and some less, or eliminate it? If you would reduce it, how would you make up the yearly revenue loss, which if eliminated could cost $2.5 billion?

Michael Caron

I am more interested with the state living within its means. In representing a district that is one of the poorest in Connecticut and also within 15 minutes of two state borders, I am more interested in reducing our sales tax further.

James Mazzarella

I want to take a long look at it. More aggressive than what I would have favored. Maybe it needs to be cut because a lot of people are hurting.

Property tax: Do you believe the property-tax system needs to be reformed? If so, how would you go about it?

Caron

The state should stop burdening municipalities with public policy mandates it feels are important enough to pass, but not important enough to fund.

Mazzarella

Something has got to be done. Got to look at the whole tax system because more and more towns are getting into trouble.

Death penalty: Do you support banning the death penalty? Would you keep the state's current death penalty law? Or would you make changes that would result in death sentences being carried out?

Caron

I have supported and will continue to support a change to balance aggravating and mitigating factors.

Mazzarella

If you kill a police officer or rob a store and kill someone, you should pay. I favor changing it so it is not difficult to use.

Gambling: Do you believe the Mashantucket Pequot and Mohegan Indian tribes ought to have a monopoly on casino gambling in Connecticut? Would you favor a privately held casino in one of the state's major cities, possibly Bridgeport, Hartford or Waterbury?

Caron

In America competition used to be a good thing. A private enterprise that is smart enough to diversify its entertainment components will be successful and will probably drive up wages as they compete for trained labor.

Mazzarella

Don't believe in monopolies, period. I don't believe that gambling is necessarily the way to go for the state.

Education: Do you support efforts to integrate Connecticut's public schools? If so, what steps would you take to promote racial and ethnic diversity?

Caron

My district's school systems are integrated. We should begin to worry less about our diversities and look a little harder for our commonalties so we can get on with our giving our kids an education that will get them a job so they can be a part of society.

Mazzarella

Education is a major factor, but local school boards should decide, not the state or courts.

Crime: What would you like to see done to combat crime? For example, stiffer penalties? More prisons? More cops on the streets? Stricter gun-control laws?

Caron

The best combat to crime is economic opportunity in our cities and poorer rural communities.

Mazzarella

Got to get a handle on it, curb it. One thing is to educate youth and get them going good in life. But career criminals, I'd be very strict.